HOME and Dishoom partnership shortlisted for the Achates Prize’s Corporate Philanthropy Award

Awards to be presented by the eminent cultural philanthropist, Hannah Rothschild CBE, at the Achates Philanthropy Prize ceremony at Rich Mix on 19 November 2019

The shortlist has been announced for the 2019 Achates Philanthropy Prize, the only annual prize that celebrates first-time supporters of the arts in the UK.

This year’s Prize received a record-breaking number of submissions and the shortlist offers a powerful portrait of an emerging generation of cultural supporters and the far-reaching impact of these new partnerships for arts organisations and their communities across the country – from Edinburgh to Poole, Hay-on-Wye to Birmingham.

Each individual and company on the shortlist has been nominated by a cultural organisation to express appreciation for their outstanding contribution, which includes financial gifts and gifts in-kind, experience and skill sharing, as well as network growth and positive advocacy. The shortlist takes in cultural organisations of all sizes and scales – across theatre, literature, visual arts, dance, opera and classical music.

Dishoom has been nominated for the Achates Prize by HOME. Dishoom, Manchester’s much-loved Bombay café, first partnered with HOME, Manchester’s leading venue for film, theatre and art, in June 2019 on its annual autumn season of independent Indian cinema, Not Just Bollywood. They gave a £5,000 cash gift to fund the programme, including a £1 donation for every Bollybellini cocktail sold at their Manchester restaurant across the two-month season, also developing a new alcohol-free dry tipple to bolster sales. This was Dishoom’s first partnership of this kind with an arts organisation. In addition to their financial gift, Dishoom have supported the season generously by providing competition prizes, hosting press, and treating the HOME team to first-rate Bombay comfort food in their Manchester restaurant. The restaurant group is also promoting the film season to their significant audience online, in print and in their Manchester restaurant, helping HOME to reach out to new audiences. Dishoom’s Executive Chef, Naved Nasir, will be hosting a cooking event on HOME’s main stage later this year to further engage guests in the culinary and cultural traditions of India.

Achates Philanthropy Prize Founder, Caroline McCormick, said: “The Achates Philanthropy Prize is a barometer of how successfully arts organisations are building relationships with their audiences. This year we have seen a step-change in the ways in which organisations of all sizes are working with their communities and celebrating their supporters; we are proud to offer a platform for these leading arts organisations and their partners.”

Dave Moutrey, Artistic Director and CEO, HOME, said: “Not Just Bollywood is a highlight of our year, and this has been a particularly rewarding partnership that has gone beyond financial support to include a whole range of creative activities and even a specially-created cocktail. We’re thrilled to have been nominated for this Prize, particularly as we are the first arts organisation to have partnered with Dishoom.”

Kavi Thakrar, Co-Founder, Dishoom, said: “We are truly most delighted and humbled to be nominated for the Achates Philanthropy Prize in partnership with HOME. Over the past decade, we’ve taken much inspiration from the films and cinemas of Bombay, which have become a hugely important source for the designs and stories of our restaurants. It’s been such a great joy and privilege to work with HOME on this important season, bringing the groundbreaking work of women film-makers to a wider audience.”

Now in its fourth year, the Prize fund is £10,000, shared between the Individual Philanthropy Award and the Corporate Philanthropy Award, thanks to the continued generous support of Achates Philanthropy Ltd., BOP Consulting and Spektrix. Both Awards will be presented by the eminent cultural philanthropist, Hannah Rothschild CBE, alongside the five recipients of the inaugural Achates Philanthropy Prize Bursaries at a special Prize ceremony at Rich Mix on Tuesday 19 November.

The 2019 Achates Philanthropy Prize is sponsored by Achates Philanthropy Ltd. with Award sponsors, BOP Consulting and Spektrix, in partnership with Rich Mix